How would you like to be surprised with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal?

Owen Millar was — and just as surprising is he doesn’t turn nine years old until Dec. 16.

The Grade 4 pupil at Kilbride Public School got the pleasant shock of his young life last Friday when he received the medal from Halton riding Conservative MP Lisa Raitt, the Minister of Labour.

The medal, 60,000 of them, are being distributed by the Governor General’s office to selected Canadians who have made a noteworthy contribution to their community, town, region, province or country.

The medal recognizes the 60th anniversary of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Owen said he wasn’t expecting to be called to the front of the student-filled Kilbride P.S. gym during an assembly.

“I was totally surprised. They were excited for me,” Owen said of his fellow students gathered in the gym of the rural north Burlington school.

He said Raitt told him he is probably one of the youngest recipients of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

The Halton MP nominated Owen following her presenting the youngster with a Canadian Cancer Society award in late April of this year.

Owen was recognized this past spring with the Ian Millar Memorial Award after he raised $3,500 on his own for the society.

The award is named for his uncle Ian — his father David Millar’s youngest brother — who died of cancer in 1997, long before Owen was born.

The Millar family has contributed to the cancer society’s fundraising initiatives over the years, especially through the Great Ride ‘N’ Stride event in Burlington, but its involvement had begun to wane.

So Owen, involved in the event since he was a baby, vowed to raise $1,000 in 2012.

“He went around door to door, with one of us with him, and wanted to do the talking himself…. He very quickly found his groove and confidence and was so honest and heartfelt that it obviously really touched a lot of people…,” said Owen’s mother, Jennifer Millar Giudice.

The $1,000 goal was quickly achieved but Owen kept on going, raising $3,500 by the time of the local Ride ‘N’ Stride event.

He even put in $150 of his own money.

“She told us that she really liked his matter of fact attitude, how he followed through with what he said and showed that an ordinary kid can do extraordinary things and make a difference,” Giudice said of Raitt’s nomination.

Giudice said the recognition for Owen came at an opportune time for him and the rest of the family.

On Nov. 8, Owen witnessed one of the family’s dogs being hit and killed in front of their home when a vehicle hit the pet canine, named Hunter.

“… as you can imagine it has been extremely traumatic for Owen and his four-year-old brother, Adrian. The reality is though, as the (driver) was not paying attention, had he tried to swerve and avoid hitting the dog, he would have hit Owen and Adrian. So we have explained to Owen that Hunter saved his life — he was a hero,” said Giudice.

“Speaking with Owen about all of this since Friday when he received the award, he is so inspired to do more. It is amazing to see that sparkle back in his eye,” said his mother.